Dispenser for collapsible tubes



1956 J. w. PATTERSON, JR 2,767,883

. DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES,

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1955 INVENTOR fob): Za'paiielzs'omd z/flmwm Oct. 23, 1956 J.- w. PATTERSON, JR 2,767,883

DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1955 lnv United States Patent DISPENSER FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES John W.Patterson, Jr., Sacramento, Calif.

Application June 20, 1955, Serial No. 516,590

16 Claims. (Cl. 222-103) The present invention is directed to, and it isa major object to provide, a novel device for dispensing thecontents-such as tooth paste, or shaving creamfrom a collapsible tube.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a dispenser, asabove, which includes-4n combination with a case in which the tube isdisposed with its neck in register with an outlet spout-a novel fingeractuated slide and pressure shoe assembly operative to compress the tubeand cause a controlled quantity of the contents to discharge from thespout.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a dispenser, as inthe preceding paragraph, wherein said finger actuated slide and pressureshoe assembly is operative, progressively from the rear toward the frontof the tube and with repeated use of the device, to fully collapse andflatten such tube, whereby all of the contents thereof are ultimatelydischarged and waste avoided.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser, of thetype described, wherein the pressure shoe, its mount, and actuatingmechanism therefor, are so arranged that in response to fingermanipulation of the device, the manually applied force is compounded andbecomes substantially greater at the point of engagement of saidpressure shoe with the collapsible tube. In other words, thedevice-while easy to use-imparts a substantial and positive pressure onthe collapsible tube for the purpose of discharging the contentstherefrom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser forcollapsible tubes which is arranged for convenient manipulation by onehand; the other hand remaining free to hold the tooth brush, shavingbrush, or the like, onto which a quantity of the contents of the tube isto be deposited.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser forcollapsible tubes which is constructed in a manner which permits thetube to be quickly and easily placed in, or removed from, the case ofthe device; the tube when in the case having its neck engaged in adischarge spout, and eifective means being provided to normally locksaid neck against accidental escape from said spout.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a dispenser which isdesigned for ease and economy of manu facture; the device being compact,light weight, and yet sturdy.

A separate object of the invention is to provide a practical andreliable dispenser for collapsible tubes, and one which will beexceedingly efiective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relativearrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the novel dispenser for collapsibletubes; the slide being shown partially advanced and the finger tab inits lowered position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the dispenser, with thecollapsible tube partly broken away; the pressure shoe, and cooperatingparts, being shown in the initial positions occupied thereby at thestart of each tube pressing operation.

F ICE) Fig. 3 is a longitudinal elevation of the dispenser, with thecase in section, showing the positions of the parts as the pressure shoeis moved downwardly during a dispensing operation; the view also'showingin dotted linesthe open position of the upper half of the case.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and to the characters ofreference marked thereon, the novel dispenser for collapsible tubes ispreferably-though not necessarily-manufactured, in its major parts, fromplastie and includes an elongated hollow case, indicated generally at 1.The case 1 is substantially rectangular in cross section and is splitlengthwise centrally between the top 2 and bottom 3, as at 4, to form anupper half 5 and a lower half 6.

The upper and lower halves 5 and 6, respectively, of the case 1 arehinged together at the rear end, as at 7, so that the upper half 5 mayswing from its normally closed position, as in Fig. 1, to an openposition, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

The upper half 5 is normally but releasably latched to the lower half 6by means of the following arrangement:

A transverse push bar 8 is disposed immediately ahead of the front ofthe lower half 6 of the case; such push bar 8 being vformed, adjacentthe ends, with rigid, rearwardly projecting thrust fingers 9 whichslidably extend into the case through corresponding openings. A leafspring 10 disposed between the push bar 8 and the front of the lowerhalf 6 normally urges said push bar outwardly or forwardly to the limitof its travel. At their inner ends the thrust fingers 9 are pivotallyattached to the lower ends of swing levers 11, each being pivotedintermediate its ends--as at 12-to the adjacent side of the lower half 6of the case. Each of said swing levers 11 projects above its pivot 12 toan upper end termination in a hook 13 which normally but releasablyengages with a catch 14 formed on the adjacent side of the upper half 5of said case.

Such hook and catch assembly, on each side of the case within the sameand adjacent the front, normally effectively locks the upper half 5 tothe lower half 6. However, to open the upper half 5 for placement of acollapsible tube T in, or to remove such tube from, the case it is onlynecessary to push inwardly on the bar 8, which swings the levers 11 andreleases the hooks 13 from the catches 14, whereupon the upper half 5may be manually swung upwardly.

The case 1 is formed, centrally at the front, with a relatively short,forwardly projecting spout 15 normally closed at the front by a swingcover 16. The rear portion of the spout 15, in the upper half thereof,is formed as a separate segment 17 integral with the front of the upperhalf 5 of the case, while the remainder of said spout is formed integralwith the lower half 6.

The purpose of this arrangement-4. e. having the separate segment 17integral with the upper half 5is as follows:

When it is desired to place a collapsible tube T in the case 1, theupper half 5 is first opened in the manner hereinbefore described. Withsuch opening of the upper half 5 the separate segment 17 is clear of thespout 15 so that when the collapsible tube T is placed in the lower half6 of the case, the threaded neck N of said tube may be readily disposed,from above, into the rear lower and then cradle-like portion 18 of saidspout.

A substantially matching, half-circle locking wire or 19 is fixed insaid cradle-like portion 18 of the spout, and when the neck N isreceived in said portion 18 the wire or rib 19 is engaged in one of theturns of the threads of said neck N. Thereafter, the upper halfS-of thecase is closed and latch-engaged against accidental.

opening.

Upon closing of the upper half 5, the. segment 17 returns to place inthe spout and lies saddle-like over the neck N in closely adjacentrelation; the lockingwire or rib 19 thereafter effectively preventingaccidental-displacement of said neck N from the spout The collapsibletube T as thus disposed in the case 1. is in position for use; thecontents of such tube being discharged from said spout 15, when thecover is open and asillustratedat C, by means ofa novelfinger actuatedslide and pressure shoe assembly. indicated generally at 20,.mountedinconnection with the top 2 of case 1. Such finger actuated slide andpressure shoe assembly 20 is constructed and functions as follows:

The top 20f the case 1 is formed, centrally. of its sides, with asubstantially full-length longitudinal slot 21, and a slide block 22exposed in part above said top 2 is mounted in connection therewith forguided motion along said slot from an initially retracted startingposition. with longitudinal, laterally opening grooves 23 in which theedge portions of the top 2 adjacent slot 21 engage; the portion of theslide block 22 which rides beneath thetop 2 being in the form of a guideand retention plate 24. In manufacturing practice the guide andretention plate 24 is preferably an initially separate element, beingsecured to the remainder of the slide block 22 by suitable means, suchas screws 25.

The slide block 22 is adapted to be yieldably maintained in progressivestep positions, from its initially retracted starting position, by meansof a spring finger 26.

fixed to, and projecting laterally from, one side of the guide andretention plate 24; the outer or free end portion of said spring finger26 snap-engaging in one of a plurality of notches 27 formed inlongitudinally spaced relation in an internal corner shoulder 23included as an integral part of the upper half 5. As the slide block 22is manually advanced step by step for the purpose hereinafter described,the s ring finger 26 successively snap-engages in the'notches 27.

The slide block 22 includes, adjacent but short of the front endthereof, a vertical non-circular bore 29 which opens to the bottom ofsaid slide block and terminates adjacent but short of the top thereof.

A plunger 30, hereinafter identified as the secondary plunger, isslidably disposed in, and projects a distance downwardly from, the bore29; such secondary plunger 30 initially being in a raised position, asin Fig. 2, and the lower end of said plunger 39 terminating a distanceabove the bottom 3 of the case.

A substantially full-width pressure shoe 31 i disposed substantiallycentrally below the secondary plunger 30; said plunger being pivoted atits lower end, as at 32-,

to the pressure shoe 31 Ma relatively high point there- The pressureshoe 31 is flat for substantially half its The purpose of the arms 34 istwo-fold; firstly, to-

cause the pressure shoe 31. to be disposed in-its entirety at a forwardand upward incline when the secondary plunger 39 is in its raisedposition, andsecondly-to assure that the heel 33 of the pressure shoe31* always remains very close to the upper surface of the bottom 30fthe'case.

The slide block 22 is formed on opposite sides The slide block 22includes a front depending extension 35 immediately ahead of the bore29; such depending extension 35 having a rearwardly and downwardlyopening recess 36 therein. A longitudinal lever arm 37 is pivoted, as at38, at its forward end in the recess 36 and for vertical swingingmotion. The longitudinal lever arm 37 extendsrearwardly from the pivot38 through a slot 39 cut in the secondary plunger 30 intermediate itsupper and lower ends; said plunger, at the bottom of the slot 39, beingformed with a fulcrum 40 adapted for engagement by said lever arm 37.Additionally, the plunger 30, at the top of the slot 39, is convex,asrat 41; the distance between the fulcrum 40 and the convex portion 41being slightly greater than the height of the lever arm 37.

Rearwardly of the secondary plunger 30 the lever arm 37 passes between apair of transversely spaced depending guide webs 42 formed with theplate 24. Immediately to the rear of said, guide webs 42 the lever arm37 passes through a slot 43 formed in the lower end portion of avertical plunger 44, hereinafter identified asthe, primary plunger. Theprimary plunger 44 is slidably carried in matching relation in anon-circular bore 45 in the slide block 22, which bore is open top andbottom. The portion of the lever arm 37 which extends through the slot43 is disposed at a slight upward and rearward incline, as shown, forleverage increase, and the primary plunger 44, at the top of the slot43, is tapered, as shown, to provide a contact nose 46 which bearsagainst the lever arm 37 as far to the rear as possible.

At its upper end the primary plunger 44 is provided with a finger tab 47which projects rearwardly some distance from said plunger, again toprovide greater leverage. The slide block 22 also includes, at its rearend, adepending rear extension 48 formed with a forwardly opening recess49 in which the free rear end portion of the lever arm 37 engages inguided relation.

When the dispenser is to be used, with a collapsible tuberT disposed inthe case 1, with the neck N located in thespout 15, the above describedslide and pressure shoe assembly 20 is employed in the following mannerto effect discharge of a quantity of the contents of said tube; theswing cover 16 of course being opened prior to the dispensing operation.

Such slide and pressure shoe assembly 20, which starts initiallyretracted, is employed in progressive or step by step positionsdetermined by the spring finger 26 engaging in the notches 27. At eachsuch progressive position the primary plunger 44 starts in a raisedposition with the lever arm 37 and secondary plunger 30 likewise raised,and at which time the pressure shoe 31 lies at a forward and upwardincline from the heel 33 by reason of the pivot 32 being relativelyraised, while the shoe positioning arms 34 remain in contact with theplate 24 (see Fig. 2). Also, at such time the rear flat portionof thebottom of the pressure shoe 31 lies against the-collapsible tube T atthe inclined rear of the unused portion thereof.

Thereafter, the person usingthe device finger-engages the tab 47 andpresses thereon, which slides the primary plunger 44 downwardly andlikewise swings the lever arm 37 in a corresponding direction. With suchdownward swinging of the lever amt 37 it acts-bearing against thefulcrum 40--to force the secondary plunger and pressure shoe 31downwardly. The pressure shoe 31 is pressed downwardly with substantialforce by reason of the compounding of the leverage in the assembly 20,andwherein the fulcrum 40 is much closer to pivot 32 than the point ofengagement of contact nose 46 with lever arm 37.

As 30 pressed downwardly, the shoe 31 has a positive heel-to-toe motionimparted thereto; this by reason of the fact that heel33 lies close tobottom 3, and pivot 32 is in a plane aheadof said heel. By disposing thepivot 32 at a relatively high point on the shoe, the line of downwardthrust from said pivot initially intersects the bottom of'the shoe at apoint relatively close to the heel but as the shoe is moved downwardly,such point advantageously advances relative to said heel whereby tofurther assure of said heel-to-toe motion. Such motion of the shoeeffectively squeezes the engaged portion of the tube T to advance thecontents therein, and causes discharge of a quantity of such contentsthrough the neck N and from the spout 15, as at C.

At each position of the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly20 several dispensing operations may be accomplished, as the primaryplunger 44 is pressed downwardly each time only part way, which issufficient to obtain the discharge of a normal quantity of the contentsof the tube T.

Upon the primary plunger 44 being depressed to the limit of its downwardmotion, the flat rear portion of the pressure shoe 31 lies very close tothe bottom 3 of the case, with the result that the tube T is effectivelyflattened without the possibility of any substantial portion of thecontents escaping rearwardly; the flattened portion of said tube beingindicated at F.

After the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly has flattenedthe tube T at each of the progressive or step by step positions of saidassembly, the latter is moved forward one step by the simple expedientof placing the thumb and index finger in opposed notches 50 of the slideblock 22 and then pushing forwardly. This causes the spring finger 26 toescape the engaged notch 27 and to move forwardly until it falls intothe next following notch, whereupon the device is ready for subsequentuse.

As the finger actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly 20 is so movedforwardly the pressure shoe 31, riding onto the inclined rear portion ofthe unused part of the tube, returns all of the parts of said assemblyto their starting position; i. e., with the plungers 30 and 44, and thelever arm 37, in raised position.

. As an aid to the user in ascertaining the correct amount of advance ofthe slide block 22 to the progressive or step by step positions, saidslide block may be formed on one side with a pointer 51 which reads on ascale 52 marked on the top 2 of the case 1.

In lieu of the shoe positioning arms 34, whose action is to alwaysmaintain the rear of the pressure shoe 31 with the heel 33 close to thebottom 3, a leaf spring could be used for the purpose between the lowerend of the secondary plunger 30 and the rear portion of said shoe at thetop thereof.

As the described dispenser isin its over-all dimensioningrelativelysmall, light weight, and compact, it may be hand supported when in use,oralternatively may be secured to a wall in a fixed position. In eitherevent the dispenser is convenient and effective in use to discharge acontrolled quantity of the contents of the tube T, as at C, from thespout 15; the progressive or step by step use of the finger actuatedslide and pressure shoe assembly 20 assuring that substantially all ofsaid contents may be ultimately discharged, thereby minimizing waste inthe tube 1 when it is removed from the case and discarded.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there hasbeen produced such a device as will substantially fulfill the objects ofthe invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferredconstruction of the device, still in practice such deviations from suchdetail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit ofthe invention, as defined by the appended claims.

' Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as newand useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front, comprising 6 spaced longitudinal bottom andtop supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means toprevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said supports, anda manually actuated slide and pressure shoe assembly mounted on the topsupport for advance therealong from an initially retracted position,with the pressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between thesupports to engage and progressively collapse the tube; the pressureshoe including a heel permanently disposed adjacent the bottom supportand being connected with the slide for recurrent heel-to-toe downwardmotion from forwardly and upwardly inclined starting positions, andmanually actuated means between the slide and shoe operative to causesuch motion of the shoe.

2. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom andtop supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means toprevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, amanually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advancetherealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoedisposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressivelycollapse the tube, the shoe including a heel permanently disposedadjacent the bottom support, means connecting the shoe with the slidefor advance therewith and for controlled heel-to-toe downward motionfrom a forwardly and upwardly inclined starting position, and manuallyactuated means on the slide operative to cause such motion of the shoe.

3. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom andtop supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means toprevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, amanually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advancetherealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoedisposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressivelycollapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent the bottomsupport, means connecting the shoe with the slide for advance therewithand for controlled heel-to-toe downward motion from a forwardly andupwardly inclined starting position, and manually actuated means on theslide operative to cause such motion of the shoe; the forward lowerportion of the shoe curving upwardly, and means included between theslide and rear portion of the shoe operative to main tain the heel insaid adjacent relation to the bottom support in all positions of saidshoe.

4. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front, comprising,

spaced longitudinal bottom and top supports between which the tube isdisposed lengthwise, means to prevent forward displacement of the tuberelative to said support, a manually actuated slide mounted on the topsupport for advance therealong from an initially retracted position, apressure shoe disposed between the supports for advance to engage andprogressively collapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent thebottom support, a plunger slidable in and projecting toward the shoe,means pivoting the plunger and shoe together for recurrent heel-to-toedownward motion of the latter from forwardly and upwardly inclinedstarting positions and upon downward sliding motion of said plunger, andmanually actuated means on the slide operative to cause such downwardsliding motion of said plunger.

5. A device, as in claim 4, including a rigid arm upstanding from theshoe rearwardly of the pivot, and the upper end of said arm engaging theslide.

6. A device, for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front, comprising spaced longitudinal bottom andtop supports between which the tube is disposed lengthwise, means toprevent forward displacement of the tube relative to said support, amanually actuated slide mounted on the top support for advancetherealong from an initially retracted position, a pressure shoedisposed between the supports for advance to engage and progressivelycollapse the tube, the shoe including a heel adjacent the bottomsupport, a plunger slidable in and projecting toward the shoe, meanspivoting the plunger and shoe together for recurrentheel-to-toe downwardmotion of the latter from forwardly and upwardly inclined startingpositions and upon downward sliding motion of said plunger, anotherplunger slidable in and projecting upwardly from the slide for handactuation downwardly, and lever means between said plungers operative tocause said downward motion of the first named plunger upon downwardactuation of said other plunger.

7. A device, as in claim 6, in which said lever means comprises alongitudinal lever arm pivoted adjacent but clear of said first namedplunger, the latter having a slot through which the lever arm extendsintermediate its ends, and said other plunger engaging the lever arm ata point opposite the pivot.

8. A device, as in claim 7, in which the distance between the pivot andsaid first named plunger is less than the distance between the, latterand said other plunger.

9. A device, as in claim 8, in which said first named plunger includes afulcrum, in the bottom of the slot, against which the lever arm bears.

10. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front comprising an elongated case having a top, abottom, and a front; the tube being disposed lengthwise in the case andthe front of the latter having an opening into which said neck projects,and a manually actuated slide and shoe assembly mounted on the top foradvance therealong from an initially retracted position, with thepressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between the top and bottomto engage and progressively. collapse the tube; the case including aninitially separate upper half and a lower half, means hinging saidhalves of the case together at the rear for opening of the upper half,and releasable latch means between said halves; there being a spout onand projecting forwardly from the front of the case in register with theopening therein, the neck projecting into the spout, said spoutincluding an upper rear portion on the upper half of the case and theremainder of the spout being on the lower half, and means in the spoutoperative to secure the neck against retraction from said spout when thecase is closed and said portions of the spout are in engagement.

11. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube having adischarge neck at the front comprising an elongated case having a top, abottom, and a front; the tube being disposed lengthwise in the case andthe front of the latter having an opening into which said neck projects,and a manually actuated slide and shoe assembly mounted on the top foradvance therealong from an initially retracted position, with thepressure shoe disposed and moving forwardly between the top and bottomto engage and progressively collapse the tube; the case including aninitially separate upper half and a lower'half, means hinging saidhalves of the case together at the rear for opening of the upper half,and releasable latch means between said halves; there being a spout onand the top and movable along said-slot, the slide havinglaterallyopening longitudinal grooves in the sides and the longitudinal portionsof the top adjacent the slot en- 2'5 gaging in said grooves, a pair oflongitudinally spaced plungers carried by the slide, one plungerprojecting upwardly from the slide for downward manual actuation and theother plunger projecting into the case for downward travel, a pressershoe pivoted in connection with the lower end of said other plunger andadapted upon loweringthereof to collapse the adjacent portion of thetube, and a longitudinal lever arm disposed in the case and pivoted inconnection with the slide for downward swinging motion, said one plungerbearing on the lever arm remote from the pivot and the lever arm bearingon said other plunger intermediate said one plunger and such pivotwhereby downward actuation of said one plunger causes such lowering ofthe shoe.

13. A device, as in claim 12, in which said one plunger, said otherplunger, and the pivot are spaced apart in said order in a forwarddirection; said other plunger having a slot through which the lever armextends intermediate its ends, the lever arm bearing on the bottom ofthe slot, and said one plunger bearing atop the lever arm a distancerearwardly of said other plunger greater than the distance between thelatter and the pivot.

14. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube from thedischarge neck thereof, said device com prising a case in which the tubeis disposed lengthwise and which case includes top and bottom supports,the tube resting on the bottom support, a manually actuated slidemounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initiallyretracted position, a depressible pressure shoe mounted on the slidewithin the case for engagement with the tube, means between the slideand shoe to depress the shoe so as to collapse the adjacent portion ofthe tube independently of advance of the shoe along the case, andcooperating means on the case and slide yieldably resisting movement ofthe slide at recurring points in the length thereof; said cooperatingmeans comprising a longitudinal row of spaced notches on the undersideof the top support disposed to one side of the slide, and a resilientelement on the slide projecting laterally therefrom to engage one notchat a time as the slide advances along the support;

15. A device for dispensing the contents of a collapsible tube from thedischarge neck thereof, said device comprising a case in which the tubeis disposed lengthwise and which case includes top and bottom supports,the tube resting on the bottom support, a manually actuated slidemounted on the top support for advance therealong from an initiallyretracted position, a depressible pressure shoe mounted on the slidewithin the case for engagement with the tube, the lower face of the shoecurving upwardly to its forward end and the rear end of such faceforming a heel disposed adjacent the bottom support, a plunger slidablein and depending from the slide and to which the shoe is pivotedintermediate its ends, manually actuated means on the slide to depressthe plunger, and fulcrum means between the slide and shoe at the rearend of the latter to maintain the heel in a substantially constant levelrelative to the bottom support irrespective of the shoe depressingmovement of the plunger.

16. A device, as in claim 15, in which the fulcrum means comprises anarm. rigid with and upstanding from the shoe adjacent the heel, andmeans on the slide forming a surface facing and'rockably engaged by theouter end of the arm.

References Citedin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,122,096 Fitchett Dec. 22, 1914 1,981,532 Van Woert, Jr Nov. 20, 19342,489,940 Trotta Nov. 29, 1949 2,496,094 Geyer Jan. 31, 1950 2,543,704Pepin Feb. 27, 1951 2,583,631 Chehak Jan. 29, 1952 2,670,875 PermutterMar. 2, 1954

